Monthly Archives: February 2012

Tonari Gumi will be holding its 2012 Annual General Meeting on Saturday, February 25 starting at 1:00 p.m. at 511 East Broadway. This is your opportunity to find out about Tonari Gumi’s plans for the future, elect a new Board of Directors and to receive an update on our new building plans. In particular, we really need the thoughts and opinions of those who are participating and volunteering in Tonari Gumi programs and activities. This is your chance to make your voice heard and to contribute to Tonari Gumi’s continued growth. As you need to be a paid member for 2012 in order to vote or stand for election, please renew your memberships now or do so at the time of the meeting. Attendance numbers are also important for grant applications, so please come out!

If you want to find out about who will be running for positions on the Tonari Gumi Board of Directors, please click on the following link.New and Proposed Director Bios

Yasuko Yamazaki accompanied by Martin Kobayakawa and Sean Gunn at the Nov. 2011 Coffee House

Anyone interested in a casual concert featuring Japanese and Japanese-Canadian musicians are invited to our upcoming Tonari Gumi Coffee House on February 18th (Saturday). Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the concert is from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission is by donation (about $5.00 is suggested).

Featured this time will be Tae Maeda on the piano, Kenn Nakamine on bass and lead jazz vocalist, Ikuko May; the classical guitar duet, FiddleStix, with Janet Noade and singer-songwriter and B.C. fiddle champion, Cary Grigg: Natura with Atsushi Maejima and piano accompanist, Akihisa Otsu; and for the last time before they return home to Japan, the band, The Islands. Light refreshments will also be served. See you there!

On Saturday, March 24 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. we will be holding a special kimono sale at the Tonari Gumi building (511 East Broadway, Vancouver). Thanks to the relatives and friends in Japan of our members and volunteers who have donated their used kimonos and other accessories to Tonari Gumi, this will be a very unique opportunity to purchase many hard to find Japanese clothing and decorator items. There will also be kimono accessories (such as obis, zori, haori, etc.), Japanese dolls and other traditional items for sale. By attending and purchasing items, you will be supporting Tonari Gumi and its vision of helping the seniors and others within our community who need assistance. Plan to be there!